Should You Replace or Repair Your Bumper? Here’s How To Tell

Does your bumper have a few dents, scratches, and bumps on it? You can’t drive around with a damaged bumper. Our guide will help you tell if you should replace or repair your bumper.

Why Do Cars Have Bumpers?

First, let’s get to know a little more about bumpers before we get into whether you should repair or replace yours. A bumper’s job is clear from its name—it takes bumps to absorb the energy from collisions and preserve the rest of the vehicle.

Without a bumper to take some of the damage, a low-speed fender bender could severely dent and damage a vehicle’s frame, necessitating extensive repairs. There are five types of bumpers on vehicles today:

• Standard bumper
• Cowboy/deep drop bumper
• Roll pan bumper
• Tube bumper
• Step bumper

Although they may look different and have distinct names, they all serve the same purpose.

When Should You Repair a Bumper?

If the damage to a bumper is relatively minor and localized to just the bumper, you may be able to repair it. You likely don’t need a complete replacement if the damage is small dents or minor scratches.

But make sure you take it to an auto shop specializing in paintless dent and bumper repair. At River North Collision Repair, our skilled technicians offer fast and affordable bumper repair services in Chicago. So your vehicle will look as good as new in no time.

Is It Okay To Drive With a Damaged Bumper?

So your bumper has a few scratches and dents—is it still okay to drive? Auto and safety experts always recommend repairing or replacing a damaged bumper, as it can compromise the driver and passenger safety and leave the vehicle vulnerable.

When a bumper has sustained damaged, its structural integrity gets compromised. This means it can’t absorb and disperse energy correctly. Even a minor collision for a vehicle without a bumper can cause devastating damage to a car’s frame and harm the passengers.

When Should You Replace a Bumper?

How much is too much damage to repair? An auto body shop will typically recommend whether it’s worth repairing or replacing the bumper. But if you want to ensure you’re not paying for services you don’t actually need, you should know some clear signs you need a bumper replacement.

Any severe scratches, dents, cracks, or holes in the bumper make it pretty much beyond saving. And if the hooks for the bumper (these attach the bumper to the vehicle) break, you’ll need a total replacement.